Welcome to Porto

Explore Porto

Clinging to Portugal’s western coast, Porto was considered for centuries to be ‘the city at the edge of the world’. Today Portugal’s second city is a picturesque mish mash of medieval architecture, beautiful scenery and maritime industry on the mouth of the River Douro. Popular with wine lovers and beach bums alike, Porto is a fantastic city to visit at any time of year.

About Porto

Historically one of the most important ports on the Atlantic Ocean, Porto’s story is a fascinating one.
* The city is most famous for it’s delicious fortified wine, which is grown and produced in the hills outside the city.
* Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe, a former western outpost of the Roman Empire.

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Where to Stay

Porto is a relatively small city, with the bulk of its accommodation options concentrated around the historic centre. Cais de Ribeira is one of the best streets for restaurants etc, searching for a place to stay anywhere close to the Dom Luis I Bridge will put you at the heart of the action. The Boa Vista district also has some amenities for tourists and quite a few accommodation options available, although it is primarily the city’s business district and not within walking distance of many of the sights. The seafront area, around the mouth of the Douro, is popular with visitors looking for somewhere a little more peaceful, with incredible view out to the ocean. The opposite of the river also offers many quiet and beautiful places to stay - particularly around the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, where most of the Port that is the city’s most famous export is produced.

Things to do

Porto is an incredibly beautiful city. Start off in the historic centre, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 thanks to its buildings and monuments. Here you’ll find the Sé do Porto cathedral, the city’s oldest surviving building which has stood since the 13th Century. The centre is packed with churches and other magnificent buildings, be sure to check out the breathtaking view from the top of the baroque Clérigos Tower.

The city is also famous for its bridges; visitors can take a cruise down the Douro River taking in the 6 major bridges of the city, ending up at the beautiful area where the river flows out into the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere around the Galeria de Paris; where most of Porto’s nightlife happens. See if you can find some live music to watch at a Fado - traditional Portuguese music show, which happen all over the city.

Eating and Drinking

Not surprisingly perhaps, the first thing any visitor to Porto should try is the world famous fortified wine which is named after the city. Vila Nova de Gaia, across the River Douro from the old city, is the best area for Port lovers to explore - with cellars on every street aging the wine in casks or vats. Visitors can take a tour of a cellar, arrange a tasting session or simply sit and enjoy a glass in the sun on the quaint, narrow streets of the town.

At lunchtime, be sure to sample a ‘Francesinha’ - a delicious (if a little unhealthy) dish that originated in Porto. It consists of a toasted sandwich with cheese and ham or another type of meat, soaked in a thick sauce made from tomato and beer. Porto is also a paradise for those with a sweet tooth: Fantastic bakeries decadently packed with cakes and pastries line the streets of the old town.

Getting Around

Porto boasts a highly convenient public transport network, consisting of an underground metro, trams, buses and trains. This is fortunate, as the city’s criss cross of ancient and narrow streets make driving a difficult option, and although the city is fairly compact, steep hills everywhere can really take the fun out of exploring on foot.

The metro snakes across the entire city centre and out into the suburbs. Running 7 days a week from 6am until 1am, it is likely the most convenient way for visitors to explore the city, as well as the fastest route from the city centre to the airport. Porto’s antique trams also run on several of the main tourist routes, and these days mostly cater to visitors. The best option is to buy an ‘Andante’ ticket, which allows unlimited travel on all of the STCP network, for either one day or three days.

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OUR APARTMENTS HAVE AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 9/10! SEE WHAT OUR GUESTS ARE SAYING:

Luísa was a lovely host, always available to help and give information about the place and its surroundings. The apartment was very clean, very cozy and with really good energy. The bed is super comfy! Definitely recommend it!

Christina is an especially nice and friendly hostess; she helped us by telephone to steer the taxi driver correctly to the flat and expected us in spite of late hour heartily in front of the house and gave afterwards us many interesting ...